Creating a Writing Life
Often when I tell people I’m an author, they’ll mention either wanting to write a book or being
close to someone who wants to write one. Telling stories—our stories—seems to be a universal
desire. When I began my journey to publication, I didn’t know much about writing novels or the
publishing industry. But with time, research, and a lot of help from other writers, my knowledge
grew.
I have a new nonfiction book, Creating a Writing Life releasing on September 3, 2025, to share
what I’ve learned.
Why did I write this book?
My journey to publication was long and filled with potholes. I felt like I learned everything the
hard way. I couldn’t find information about how to set up a small business as a self-employed
writer, what income I could expect to make from my novels, the realities of slow times, and how
to handle envy and disappointment. Many aspects of the writing life aren’t covered in books on
the writing craft, so I decided to share what I’d learned in Creating a Writing Life.
What can readers expect from Creating a Writing Life?
I encourage writers to evaluate all aspects of their writing life–where and when they write best,
existing equipment and what equipment they need. I share about the emotional ups and
downs–envy, discouragement, celebrating wins, and how to manage expectations. There’s an
entire chapter devoted to financial matters, including author income, tracking expenses, and
business options like sole proprietorships, LLCs and S corps. Since most writers struggle with
time management (don’t we all?), I devoted several chapters on this subject. There’s also tips on
creative habits, basic story elements, and the agent-author relationship.
How am I qualified?
As a multi-published, best-selling, award-winning author who has been published for over ten
years, I’ve gained a lot of insight, mostly from talking to other authors, my own research, and
hard-won experience. Additionally, nearly a million copies of my novels have been sold
worldwide. I’m not a household name, but I’m a lifelong learner. As a former electrical engineer,
I was trained to think logically, ask a lot of questions, and find the optimal method for every process. I’m sure in ten years, I will have more insight, but I don’t believe in waiting to help
people. Writers need this information now.
What do I hope readers take away from this book?
I hope anyone who reads this book ends up encouraged and excited about their writing life.
There are so many topics writers and authors just don’t talk about, and in this book I go there.
Ideally, you’ll feel like you’re sitting across from me at a coffee shop, having a conversation
about the writing life.
Where can it be purchased?
Creating a Writing Life is available in paperback and e-book through Amazon. It releases on
September 3, 2025.
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/099781795X
E-book: https://www.amazon.com/Creating-Writing-Life-Encouragement-Creative- ebook/dp/B0FHJ18RL6/
Encouragement and advice for authors and writers
Bestseller lists, fame, and financial rewards don’t comprise your writing life—they’re products
of it. This book will help you figure out the day-to-day decisions to make to achieve your writing
dreams. Where and when do you write best? What equipment do you need? How will you handle
envy? Rejection? Long droughts between contracts?
Creating a Writing Life gives you the tools to manage every aspect of your career, including
income expectations and how to handle success. Author Jill Kemerer has experienced all this and
more in her writing career, and this book will launch you into yours. What are you waiting for?
Let’s get started creating your writing life!
Read an Excerpt:
Everyone’s heard of Jill Kemerer, right?
Nope. I’m not a household name, but I am a multi-published, award-winning, bestselling author.
I’ve sold nearly a million books worldwide. You might be thinking, She must be living the
glamorous life.
Hardly.
My life didn’t drastically change when I got my first contract or my second contract or any other
since.
But I am living the dream—my dream.
On any given day, I’m working on three to four books in various stages. Today I wrote a few
thousand words for a contracted novel, spent an hour promoting my current release, then revised
two scenes in a different manuscript.
It’s how I operate. Always working on multiple projects. Some of the books are under contract.
One my agent will pitch to editors, and another I will publish myself. Who knows? Maybe one of
them will take my career to the next level.
What happens after the books are finished is not important to me right now. Their outcomes are
in the future, out of my control.
When I open my laptop, I care about one thing. Today. Meeting my daily goals.
I have big plans for my writing career. I know what I need to do this morning, next week, next
month, and next year. I’ll have more plans then, too. I always do.
My writing life isn’t super special. At the moment, I’m sipping tea in my home office. My
uniform consists of yoga pants and an old sweater. My hair is damp, and I haven’t bothered with
makeup. I stare into space often, unsure what I should write.
How do I start a book on this topic? How can I convey how fulfilling I find my writing life while
also highlighting the frustration it involves? Most days are spent in isolation, pushing myself to
meet difficult deadlines. Yet, like most writers, I persist.
Day after day, I show up and put words on the page or fix the ones already there. It isn’t easy,
but it’s worth it. I struggle with insecurities, doubts, envy, pride, and the temptation to
procrastinate like anyone else. The one thing I don’t struggle with is knowing my purpose.
I’m a writer. I write.
Quitting is not on the table. Hasn’t been for years. Trust me, I’ve tried to quit writing on several
occasions. Within twenty-four hours, I was right back at it. The stories in my head refuse to go
away.
The idea of not pursuing my writing dreams feels wrong. The very thought of not writing doesn’t
make sense to me.
So, I keep on.
That’s what happens when you’re living the dream.
You slog through the tedious hours of writing or revising when you’d rather be doing
something—anything—else. You push through doubts and rotten feelings because you know
they’re lies.
The highs of a writing career—getting “the call,” signing a contract, holding your book in your
hands for the first time, hitting a bestseller list, getting great reviews, winning an award,
receiving royalty checks—they’re all great. But they’re fleeting. You can’t put too much stock in
the highlights of your career, just like you can’t obsess over the lowlights.
The highlights and the lowlights are mere slivers of the writing life.
Pre-Order: CREATING A WRITING LIFE
What would YOU like to know about the writing life? Leave a
comment!
Thank you for inviting me to be a guest today!
Jill Kemerer is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of heartwarming, emotional, small-town
romance novels often featuring cowboys. Nearly a million of her books have sold worldwide.
Jill’s essentials include coffee, caramels, a stack of books and long walks outdoors. She resides in
Ohio with her husband. They have two adult children. For more information, visit her website,
jillkemerer.com.
